What makes you happy?

How happy are the people who worship you with songs,
who live in the light of your kindness!
Because of you they rejoice all day long,
and they praise you for your goodness.
You give us great victories;
in your love you make us triumphant. (verses 15-17)

Read Psalm 89: 1-4, 15-18

‘Wouldn’t it be nice to win a million?’ There are other jingles that lure you to thinking that to be happy you must be rich or beautiful. Advertising is there to make you discontented with what you have so that you will want more and more. However, chasing after things, money, health or looks will never make you happy, because there will always be something more that you want.

Some of the happiest people I have met have not been rich and famous. They have little of this world’s goods. Their happiness lies not in what they have but in what they are – God’s loved children.

These people are those who ‘live in the light’ of God’s love and kindness. They are the ones who are able to sing songs of joy and praise to God. Even when times are tough, they are able to be content with where God has placed them. One of the happiest people I know is a person who has to walk with two sticks because of her injuries. She is a severe diabetic and has various other health problems. Yet, she lives for her Lord and is continually singing his praises. She gives thanks to him because he is her constant companion. What an example of joy she is to me. It does my heart good to be in her company.

Are you able to sing to the Lord, even when the going gets tough?

Dear Lord, help me to worship you with songs, even when the going is tough and I don’t feel like it. Amen.

by Merna Thamm, in ‘Living Water for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2001)

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